Lumber in My Minivan

2019, budget decorating, cheap decorating, decor, decor tips and tricks, entry way, fall, outdoor spaces, outdoors, porches, room refreshers, seasonal, seasonal decor

Back porch rehab: a mood board and a plan

September 18, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment

Spaces

We have a wonderful covered back porch, but it’s a bit lacking in decor and comfort.

The space itself is great, but it’s bland and underused.

And I know what you’re thinking. Summer is over- why worry about sitting on the porch now?

We live in Central North Carolina, and it’s so hot here in the summer we can’t stand to sit on the porch. Even if it’s covered. Even if it has a ceiling fan- which ours doesn’t.

I’d love to make this a cozy little sitting space, kind of like an outdoor living room. I’ve got so many good ideas of what I’d like to do. Take a look at my ideas and the inspiration I’ve pulled from Pinterest! Here’s what I think our porch really needs:

A ceiling fan

The porch in this photo reminds me of a nicer version of my own porch. The spaces are similar. I love that ceiling fan because it’s decorative, and because I definitely don’t love our hot, humid weather.

2. Porch rug and a coffee table

c3d1424f51d43b3ff246d65a14e173e2 — Source

I just love the porch furniture, the colors, and the general coziness of Suzy’s porch over at Worthing Court. It’s lovely- I just wanna sit there and drink my tea.

3. Pillows or cushions

See the picture above. Cushions and pillows make any porch seem cozy and inviting.

4. Soft lighting for fun and for evenings

I realize this is a Christmas photo, but I love the soft lighting from the string lights. String lights are also just a very cool look.

5. citronella candles

How to Make Citronella Candles_ Easy and Fast DIY — Source

The mosquitoes in North Carolina are world-famous. They’re mean and they will get you. And since you’re well aware of my fondness for mason jars, I thought I’d try my hand at making a few of these citronella candle jars.

6. a new porch lantern

Our puny, builder grade light fixture was broken in one of the hurricanes last year and we haven’t replaced it yet. I’d love this barn light lantern on our back porch. It’s such a cool look.

7. different wreaths

There is nothing wrong with the wreaths I made, but I think they’re a little puny. This wreath is fuller and the colors are better and I think it’d look great on my doors.

We are actively working on making the porch cozier and better right now. I can’t wait to share it with you next month!

2019, DIY, Dollar Store crafts, Dollar Store Upcycles, fall, floral, New uses for old things, pool noodle, seasonal, Seasonal art, seasonal decor, upcycle, wreath

A super simple fall wreath…and it’s made from a pool noodle!!

September 10, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment

I just made a super cute, super simple fall wreath for my back door, and I made it using items from the Dollar Tree. Even my wreath form, which is nothing other than a POOL NOODLE!

I simply bent the ends together, hot glued the ends together, and wrapped a bit of duct tape around the joint to hold it together.

I then completely wrapped the wreath frame in burlap ribbon, hot gluing it as I wrapped each piece. I used about 4 rolls of ribbon and several glue sticks.

I then affixed a pipe cleaner to the back of the wreath as a hanger, and then affixed the flowers to my wreath form.

I am terrible at making bows, so my aunt made one for me. I then attached my bow to the wreath and hung it on my porch.

Not too bad for a $12 wreath 🙂

2019, budget decorating, burlap, cheap decorating, decor, decor tips and tricks, decorating tips, Dollar Store crafts, fall, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, pumpkin, seasonal, seasonal decor, shopping guides, thrifty decor

Fabulous Fall Finds at Dollar General

September 2, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment

I have been itching to decorate for fall lately, and now that it’s finally September, I just might. Have you all been to Dollar General recently? They have so many beautiful fall things and for such awesome prices! There were many things I wanted to buy and I still may go back and buy them later.

This comfy fall throw is soft and I love the colors. This muted gray would be beautiful thrown over my couch.

This pretty tea towel would look great in a kitchen or a bathroom.

These cute little fall bowls are reminiscent of Rae Dunn and I am seriously considering going back and buying about six of them.

I want this cute little sign so bad. My aunt was with me at the DG and she talked about buying this and putting it in the center of a deco mesh wreath, which would be really pretty.

These pretty little metal baskets would be great in a fall vignette.

These small canvas fall signs are available in several different designs and are another thing I’m debating on going back to buy.

I’ve earmarked this cute little clock for a project I’m about to do. Isn’t it cute?

These cute little galvanized pails could be used for so many things.

I want some of these little candle lanterns.

This photo frame is so pretty. I’ve almost bought it many a time.

There were also some really cute candle holders and some fall vase fillers that I liked and didn’t get pictures of.

Which of these fall finds are you crushing on?

Tune in next week for some sweet fall wreaths!

2018, 2019, crafts, decor, decor tips and tricks, decorating tips, farmhouse, farmhouse decor, farmhouse style, Fixer Upper Inspired, floral, seasonal decor, simplify, spring, spring decor, summer, summer decor, wreath

Make it Monday: an easy summer wreath

August 26, 2019August 26, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments

I found these beautiful hydrangea blooms at Hobby Lobby. I wasn’t going to buy them, but they were so pretty I had to have them.

Hobby Lobby

I knew I needed a new wreath for my back door, so I decided to buy an oval grapevine wreath.

I also grabbed some ribbon from my craft cabinet and got to work. I simply cut the stems from the flowers, put the flowers into the wreath and arranged them as I liked. I then added a little hot glue to the backs of the blooms and tied a bow from my ribbon. I attached this to the top.

I was satisfied with the wreath when I finished it. And if you’re wondering how realistic the flowers are?

This sweet butterfly was surprised, too!

This wreath was easy and fun to make. Have you made any wreaths lately?

2019, Americana, family, home tour, pets, photography, summer, vacations

End of Summer 2019 Recap!

August 19, 2019August 20, 2019by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment

It’s really hard to think about summer being over, but it is. I’ve gone back to work, Emorie is back in school and we are settling back into our routines. I’m not going to share every single thing that we did, but I’m definitely going to share the highlight reel.

This little cutie turned eight and celebrated her fourth recital and did a fantastic job. She was by far the busiest member of our family this summer: she went to tennis camp, volleyball camp, acrobatics camp, swim lessons, art camp and Vacation Bible School. Thank goodness these camps were all half day camps, or I’d have never seen her!

Aubrey finally, actually let me take some pretty cute pictures of her! She also attended acrobatics camp and swim lessons.

I took a break from blogging to spend more time with my family, and I also discovered a new love- weightlifting. I worked with a personal trainer and have lost almost 35 pounds. Here’s a pic of me in April, at the heaviest I’ve ever been.